Radio & Podcast News – Vista Radio launches 98.1 The Ranch in Lethbridge

Vista Radio has launched 98.1 The Ranch (CKBD-FM) Lethbridge, formerly branded as 2DayFM. Carrying a Country format spanning songs from the last three decades, 98.1 The Ranch will also feature news coverage from the MyLethbridgeNow.com newsroom. The station’s on-air lineup includes the Mike Maguire Show, featuring Kass Patterson; Carly Kincaid during the workday; and Ridin’ Home with Scott E. 

Sports 1440 (CKJR-AM) Edmonton is airing The Basketball Show, starting Saturday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. MT. Hosted by Paul Sir, the show covers basketball at all levels — from grassroots to college, the NBA, international basketball, 3×3, and beyond. Sir, the former Executive Director of the Alberta Basketball Association and Managing Director of 3×3 Development for Canada Basketball, previously hosted The Basketball Show on the former TSN 1260 (CFRN-AM) Edmonton from 2015 to early 2022.

Radio Connects’ Radio on the Move fall 2023 update finds radio is holding its own in the age of digital disruption. Looking at ad-supported audio consumed by Canadian adults, Radio on the Move says three out of every four hours is currently going to live AM/FM, three times the total number of hours going to ad-supported podcasts and streaming services combined. In-car, radio is accounting for 59% of all audio consumption, followed by personal music (15%), SiriusXM (11%) and other paid streaming services (9%). The study found even among those who have access to connected car technology, radio still makes up the majority of time spent with audio. Radio on the Move asked Canadians how Meta’s ban on links to news had impacted them, finding that while many sought out other online news sources, a quarter (24%) have started consuming more news from radio, TV and newspapers. Read more here.

Flightpath, the Hamilton, ON-based podcast revenue optimization startup, has signed YMH Studios, home of nine podcasts including Your Mom’s House, featuring comedians Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitsky; 2 Bears, 1 Cave with Segura and Bert Kreischer; and First Date, hosted by Lauren Compton. Flightpath says the partnership will provide the YMH team with trusted available inventory, tools to manage baked-in and DAI opportunities, and insight into how to better drive revenue growth.

The True Canadians is a new podcast from the authors of acclaimed 2023 Métis book The True Canadians: Forgotten Nevermore, hosted by one of its co-authors, former journalist David Wylynko. The podcast series was conceived by co-author and former CBC reporter Patricia Russell and focuses on the breadth of topics covered by the book, including Métis economic development, tourism, veterans and elders, Métis health, housing, and environmental initiatives.

Doug Elliott, Program Director of 94.9 the Rock (CKGE-FM) Oshawa, has a new side hustle, founding DECM Management Group and DECM Records with songwriter Casey Marshall. Based out of Toronto, the pair has already signed three artists to their talent roster: post hard core band, Judgement; alt/pop artist Bad Child, and contemporary rockers, Lear Haven.

LISTEN: Josie Dye, who recently joined Toronto’s 104.5 CHUM FM, is on the latest Sound Off Podcast. In this episode, the longtime Indie88 (CIND-FM) and 102.1 the Edge (CFNY-FM) host shares why she made the move, the growing audience for her podcast with Cynthia Loyst, Cynthia & Josie’s Unmentionables, and more.